Family and Instructor Help Mason Excel

"Father knows best," as the saying goes, but in this case the masonry instructor knows best, too.

Josh Moser is the son and grandson of masons. Josh's father, Terry Moser, is also owner of Moser Construction Company. Being in a masonry family affords many great learning experiences.

However, Josh also knows he was well taught at the Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna, Ohio.

"My instructor, Mr. Nagy, taught me so many things, and he taught me always to do a job right," Moser said.

Rich Nagy is now in his ninth year as a masonry instructor. In 2002, one of his students, Blake Goodyear, won first place honors at the SkillsUSA-sponsored National Masonry Contest.

"Josh came to us in his junior year," Nagy recalled. "He worked in the trade the following summer. In his senior year, Josh was selected our 'student of the year,' and earned a scholarship from the Masonry Contactors Association of Akron. He competed in the national competition, representing our state."

Josh represented Ohio last summer in the secondary division (high school) of the National Masonry Contest held in conjunction with the 41st annual SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in Kansas City, Mo. He placed third in his division.

Now a student at Akron University, Moser is a full-time student in the engineering school, majoring in construction technology. Although he had to leave competitive football, basketball and baseball back in high school, Moser remains an avid fisherman, hunter and poker player.

About the Author

Masonry, the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America, covers every aspect of the mason contractor profession - equipment and techniques, building codes and standards, business planning, promoting your business, legal issues and more. Read or subscribe to Masonry magazine at www.masonrymagazine.com.

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.